Stepinac High School Drama Club’s Production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Wins Top 2017 Metro Award

Continuing a tradition for outstanding theatrical productions, Stepinac High School Drama Club’s regional premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame won the top Metropolitan High School Theater Awards (Metro) for best overall production at the recent 19^th annual awards ceremony at Purchase College’s Performing Arts Center.

Stepinac’s acclaimed theater arts group also captured Metros for leading actor— freshman Jeremy Fuentes of Mahopac— for his performance in the title role of Quaisimodo and for supporting actor— senior Anthony Pietroluongo of the Bronx— for his performance as Archdeacon Frollo.

Joe Lorre and June Ricciardi won the scenic design Metro for their striking Cathedral of Notre Dame set equipped with the signature bells.

In accepting the best overall production award, Producer Keith Sunderland congratulated the cast members and other nominees, noting: “Every single theater program creates a sanctuary in your schools,” adding: ”This show is a prayer that everyone who feels as an outcast will be recognized as children of God.”

The theme of tolerance in Victor Hugo’s timeless classic resonated with the Stepinac cast of Hunchback when they performed a selection from the musical about acceptance and creating havens for each other. During the performance, which was arguably one of the awards ceremony’s major highlights, they opened their long robes to reveal their T-Shirts that were inscribed with slogans that speak directly to the present day as well. Among them were “Choose Life, “Be A Sanctuary,” “Hope Not Hate,” "End Racism," "Pray for London,” “Pray for Paris,” “Stop Abuse,” and “We are All Human.”

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was nominated for a record 18 Metro Awards, was Stepinac’s third regional premiere in recent years, following Mary Poppins in 2014 and Billy Elliot in 2015.

Since 1949, Stepinac’s Drama Club has won critical acclaim for its productions of fall dramas and spring musicals. It has also won international recognition by performing in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The productions have nurtured the talents of many young students at Stepinac. Some went on to greater fame including Academy Award winner Jon Voight and Emmy-Award winner Alan Alda.

About Archbishop Stepinac High School

The mission of Archbishop Stepinac High School is to offer young men of the Archdiocese of New York a highly competitive academic and extracurricular program that will prepare them for college and leadership roles. The faculty and staff accomplish these objectives by pursuing excellence and creating a supportive, disciplined atmosphere with a strong sense of camaraderie and Christian values that is unique to the Stepinac experience. For more information, visit www.Stepinac.org.